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EXCEL: Combine text from two cells into one

When you need to combine two cells into one, there’s no need to cut and paste every cell. With this simple formula, you can do it quickly and accurately.

How to Combine Text from Two Cells in Excel

Combining text from multiple cells is a common task in Excel, and fortunately, it can be done instantly without any complex setup. Whether you’re joining first and last names or merging product details, Excel gives you simple and efficient ways to do it using formulas like the ampersand operator or the CONCAT function.

1. Combine Text Using the Ampersand (&)

The ampersand symbol is the quickest way to join text from different cells.

For example, if you want to combine “First” (A2) and “Last” (B2) with a space between them, you can use: =A2&" "&B2

How it works:

  1. Select the cell where you want the combined text to appear.
  2. Type =.
  3. Click the first cell (e.g., A2).
  4. Type &" "& to add a space between the values.
  5. Click the second cell (e.g., B2).
  6. Press Enter.

This method is fast, flexible, and widely used for quick text joins.

2. Use the CONCAT Function

If you prefer a more structured formula approach, Excel’s CONCAT function is a great alternative. Example: =CONCAT(A2, " ", B2)

Steps:

  1. Click the destination cell.
  2. Type =CONCAT(.
  3. Select the first cell (A2).
  4. Add a comma, then type " " to insert a space.
  5. Add another comma and select the second cell (B2).
  6. Close the bracket and press Enter.

This method is especially useful if you’re building more complex formulas later on.

3. Apply the Formula to Multiple Rows

Instead of repeating the formula for every row, you can quickly copy it down the column:

  1. Click the cell with your completed formula.
  2. Hover over the bottom-right corner until you see a small black plus sign (the fill handle).
  3. Double-click it, or drag it down to fill the remaining rows.

Excel will automatically adjust the formula for each row, saving you time and effort.

Expert Tech Tip

For more advanced scenarios—such as handling multiple columns or ignoring blank cells—Excel’s TEXTJOIN function can give you even more control over how text is combined.

Final Thoughts

Whether you use the ampersand operator or the CONCAT function, combining text in Excel is quick and efficient. Once you master the fill handle, you can apply these formulas across entire datasets in seconds, making data cleaning and formatting much faster.

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